A high-level nine-member team led by Additional Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Sri Lanka, Anura Jayawickrama, arrived at Tuticorin Port on Monday.

It inspected the amenities established for passengers on the premises for ferry service, which is expected to commence on March 1, in line with the agreement reached between India and Sri Lanka.

The furnished passenger terminal was inaugurated by G.K. Vasan, Union Shipping Minister, here on January 24.

The team, with members from Sri Lankan port authorities, Ceylon Shipping Corporation, Sri Lankan Navy and other liaison agencies, including Customs, inspected the arrangements at the passenger terminal. Accompanied by Chairman, Tuticorin Port Trust, A. Subbiah, it also inspected berthing facilities for passenger service.

The team expressed satisfaction following the visit, Mr. Subbiah told The Hindu.

A consortium of Flamingo and Tradex Shipping has agreed to operate ferry service. Tuticorin Port is geared up with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) and also equipped with an array of Closed Circuit Televisions to increase the surveillance.

Besides, Electronic Access Control System has been installed at the port. Personnel of bomb detection squad are also in place. Two patrolling boats will be engaged at the sea round-the-clock to enhance security.

The Navy and Indian Coast Guard personnel will monitor operations at sea, Mr. Subbiah said.

As for rechristening Tuticorin Port after freedom fighter V.O. Chidambaram, he said that a schedule was yet to be finalised by the government. Earlier, the Port authorities, Collector C.N. Maheswaran and Sub-Collector Sajjan Singh R. Chavan received the delegates.